Athawale’s men construct illegal party office at Chembur

Activists of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) in Chembur seem to be taking the advantage of their alliance with Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party for the civic polls.

Local activist Gautam Shinde has reportedly constructed a party office on a pavement in the Maravali church area at Chembur without permission, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.

“There was no office on the footpath earlier. The RPI (Athawale) activists put their party flags there to grab the land and constructed the office within four months,” claimed Nitesh Banerjee, a local resident.  

“These RPI workers have pitched their flags at other places in the suburb too,” he added, and expressed fear that these locations too will be encroached upon.

Gautam Sonawane, president of RPI (Athawale) Mumbai unit claimed he was unaware of the unauthorised construction. “But, I will look into the matter,” he added.

Despite repeated calls, ward officials were unavailable for comment.

When DNA tried to contact M East ward officer Amit Dave, his subordinates neither fixed a meeting nor forwarded the call to him.